Individual Presentation or Panel Title
Immortal Evolution: The Search for Eternal Life from Ancient Taoism to Modern Science
Abstract
In Taoism, the search for immortality began with the desire to preserve the human body eternally through alchemy and evolved into a search for spiritual immortality. The modern Transhumanist Movement seeks to scientifically achieve immortality by digitally preserving consciousness, or merging human consciousness with machines. Would the success of the Transhumanist Movement be the same as achieving spiritual immortality according to Taoist thought? Content analysis will compare and contrast Taoist attempts at eternal life with modern science’s attempts, tracing the historical progression of humanity’s fascination with longevity and desire to live forever. More analysis includes philosophical discussions regarding whether the soul and consciousness are the same, as well as the concept of preserving as opposed to transcending the human body. The research project is still in progress, but anticipated results will show a disconnect between Taoist thought and the concept of digital immortality. The complementary nature of the body and spirit in traditional Taoism would be incompatible with the transhumanist goal of freeing consciousness from the constraints of a faulty human body.
Location
Ballator Gallery
Start Date
3-5-2014 3:30 PM
End Date
3-5-2014 4:20 PM
Immortal Evolution: The Search for Eternal Life from Ancient Taoism to Modern Science
Ballator Gallery
In Taoism, the search for immortality began with the desire to preserve the human body eternally through alchemy and evolved into a search for spiritual immortality. The modern Transhumanist Movement seeks to scientifically achieve immortality by digitally preserving consciousness, or merging human consciousness with machines. Would the success of the Transhumanist Movement be the same as achieving spiritual immortality according to Taoist thought? Content analysis will compare and contrast Taoist attempts at eternal life with modern science’s attempts, tracing the historical progression of humanity’s fascination with longevity and desire to live forever. More analysis includes philosophical discussions regarding whether the soul and consciousness are the same, as well as the concept of preserving as opposed to transcending the human body. The research project is still in progress, but anticipated results will show a disconnect between Taoist thought and the concept of digital immortality. The complementary nature of the body and spirit in traditional Taoism would be incompatible with the transhumanist goal of freeing consciousness from the constraints of a faulty human body.